EP3374775B1 - Contact pin having a light source and contact pin arrangement having a light source - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a contact pin, in particular spring contact pin, with a jacket sleeve, in which a contact piston is guided longitudinally displaceable. In the embodiment as a spring contact pin, a spring element, in particular a helical spring, is arranged in the jacket sleeve, which axially urges the contact piston with its contact tip out of the jacket sleeve, so that the contact piston can deflect against the force of the spring element into the jacket sleeve. In this case, in particular by a positive connection, which is realized in particular by a taper of the jacket sleeve, prevents the contact piston can be completely expelled by the spring element from the jacket sleeve.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a contact pin arrangement with a contact pin, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, and with a contact pin at least partially receiving mounting sleeve, wherein the contact pin has a displaceably guided contact piston.

Contact pins and contact pin assemblies of the type mentioned are already known from the prior art.

In the manufacturing industry, especially the automotive industry, quality control is very important. For example, in cable harness manufacturing, all the connectors of a cable harness are plugged onto test tables in so-called test modules, which simulate the matching mating connector. The test modules thus form a so-called test adapter in the electronics industry. Each connector in the harness represents a device under test (DUT). Connector testing includes both electrical testing and mechanical testing. For this purpose, different contact pins (KS) are installed in the test module, which are specialized in the respective test.

This test technique can be used as a final test after the production of a complete wiring harness or even during assembly. Single cables with prefabricated contact elements (terminals) are often mounted via snap-in connections in a connector housing. This can be done at the assembly station or on the test module become. If the cover housing is already arranged in the test module, certain tests can be carried out during assembly. The advantage is that assembly errors can be detected and corrected immediately.

In one of these tests, for example, a contact pin is pressed with high spring force against the contact element to be tested, thereby checking the locking connection. If the contact element slips, a (mechanical) error is detected, for example by means of a so-called switching sleeve. The test of locking is now supported or replaced by additionally or exclusively applying a tensile force to the cable by the installer or inspector. Therefore, one speaks in this case of a tensile test or pull test.

If an error is detected when carrying out the test, the error location on the test table and within the test module is usually located via test software and usually displayed to the tester or operator on a monitor or display. In addition, it is known to provide a light indicator on each test module, which provides information about the state of the individual contact elements in the test object. For example, an activated light indicates that the test object or part of the test object is in good order, and a light that is off indicates that there is an error.

The error displays can be more or less clearly recorded and interpreted. Therefore, there are advancements in which the visual signal is displayed by the luminous display in the form of a light spot close to the physical defect on the test object. As a result, in addition to or instead of the optical representation by means of a display or monitor, an error indication is carried out directly on the test object or on the test module / adapter.

This technique also makes it possible to avoid errors, especially during assembly. For example, the luminous dots are used to guide the installer through the assembly process when fitting the test module or connector. Step by step, the corresponding cavities to be fitted in the various plugs on the test bench are over-lit, so that the installer, for example, only has to follow the illuminated points, which are coded in color, for example. This procedure can also be referred to as light-guided contact insertion (LGKE).

The illumination is expediently carried out from below, ie from the bottom of the test module, through the test object in the direction of the operator or tester. The generation of the respective light spot can be realized by means of a light-emitting diode (LED) which is installed in the immediate vicinity of a contact element or contact pin of the test module to be tested or fitted or adjacent to the contact pin in the test module. In general, the connector to be tested contains a plurality of contact elements or cables, which are usually arranged in a narrow grid of a few millimeters to each other. In the field of light generation or coupling also the actual test means, the contact pins are arranged. In the narrow grid, the exact, clearly demarcated mark the fault or the mounting location is impossible. Especially since the luminous point should ideally also be visible in the fully populated state of the test adapter / test module. Remedial measures have hitherto been provided by fiber-optic cables (LWL), which direct the light to outside of the test module sitting (larger) light sources at a specific area adjacent to the marking.

With decreasing grid, however, the application of this technique is difficult to impossible, either because only a complete light-optical indication at the placement of each contact element is feasible or necessary for the complete test contact pin contacting each contact element. This then requires a process separation, in which, for example, first the light-guided assembly and then the test takes place without lighting or lighting option. The resulting functional limitation for the testing of test objects with a small grid thus reduces the advantage of the light-guided contact insertion. US 2,916,698 A shows a contact pin arrangement.

The invention is therefore based on the object to remedy the above-mentioned disadvantage and to ensure both a contact of contact elements as well as a light-guided Kontaktinsetzung in tight grids without necessary process separation.

The problem underlying the invention is achieved by a contact pin having the features of claim 1. This has the advantage that the available space is optimally utilized and the conflict between the illuminated dot and contact pin grid is solved. For this purpose, the presence of the contact pin is used to simultaneously realize the lighting function. According to the invention, it is provided for this purpose that at least one light source is arranged in the interior of the contact pin, which has an electrically activatable lighting means, wherein the contact pin has a light exit opening for the light source has emitted light. Thus, the light source is integrated directly into the contact pin, and thus no longer represents a competition for the contact pin with respect to the existing installation space. The fact that the light source has an electrically activatable light source, the light is generated directly in the contact pin, it thus finds a direct illumination in or on the contact pin instead, so that an external light source and a light guide is dispensed with. In this case, the inventive design of the contact pin can be realized with technically different contact pins. Thus, the contact pin according to a first preferred embodiment, even without electrical function, apart from the light source, designed as a light contact pin, wherein the contact piston against the force of a spring element. According to a second embodiment, the contact pin is preferably designed as an electrically conductive test contact pin, which allows both the light-guided contact insertion and the electrical testing of the test object in the narrow grid. The contact pin is preferably designed as a spring contact pin. According to a third embodiment, it is preferably provided that the contact pin is designed as a switching contact pin or switching sleeve. In each of the three cases, the inventive design of the contact pin can be realized and leads to the advantages already mentioned. Of course, it is also conceivable to implement or implement the contact pin according to the invention in still further types of contact pins which were not mentioned above. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the jacket sleeve of the contact pin is integrally formed. Alternatively, it is preferably provided that the jacket sleeve is formed in several parts, with a first part in which the contact piston is longitudinally displaceable, and in which in particular the spring element is arranged, and with a second part, in particular for fastening the contact pin in a test adapter and / or a mounting sleeve is formed. The light source is then preferably arranged in the first or in the second part. For example, the light source can be arranged in or on a connecting piece, which is auf auf der Mantelhülse and / or inserted into the jacket sleeve. Also, the second part of the contact pin or the jacket sleeve can be formed by the aforementioned mounting sleeve.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the light exit opening is located at or in the region of a contacting surface and / or the contacting surface of adjacent surface / surfaces of the contact piston and / or on or in the region of an end of the jacket sleeve adjacent the contact piston. The light exit opening is selected so far that the light source generated by the light source Light exits at least substantially axially or at least substantially radially out of the contact pin. For this purpose, the outlet opening is formed either on the front side (axial) or jacket wall side (lateral) in the jacket sleeve or in the contact piston. In particular, the at least one light exit opening is formed on the contact piston and / or the jacket sleeve such that it is released or closed in dependence on the sliding position of the contact piston. Thus, the beam path of the light is influenced by the movement of the contact piston and achieved an automated signaling in performing a test procedure in a simple manner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the light source is designed to transmit light in the spectrum visible to the human eye, or in the non-visible spectrum, in particular in the IR spectrum and / or in the UV spectrum. In particular, when the light source emits light in the spectrum visible to the human eye, a simple integration and use of the contact pin is possible for the skilled person, in particular for the fitter / examiner, which simplifies the light-guided contact insertion. In order to produce light in the visible spectrum, the light source is in particular as a light emitting diode (LED), preferably as an SMD chip, preferably laterally emitting, axially radiating, with classic round shape, as a nude chip or potted, monochrome or multicolor and single or multiple in the contact pin available. It is also conceivable to arrange as a light source a laser light source, in particular as an SMD chip, in the contact pin. By emitting light in the non-visible spectrum, a luminous or color marking, which can not be detected by the examiner himself, is made possible, for example, by a camera device for automatic evaluation of the luminous signal.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the light source is designed to send out operating state-dependent light in different colors. As a result, the above-described color coding of the light is made possible, which simplifies the light-guided Kontaktinsetzung.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the light source is connected / connectable to a controller which is designed to switch the light source on and off, clocked and / or to control the emission of light with different colors. The controller is preferably arranged in the contact pin, so that the contact pin together with the light source and the controller forms a compact unit that works independently. Alternatively, the controller is arranged externally, so that multiple pins with and the same control can be connected, which then optionally monitors the plurality of pins and in each case controls their light sources.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the light source is arranged in an end region of the contact piston having the contacting surface, adjacent to the light exit opening, or that the light source irradiates light in a light passage channel having the light exit opening, and in particular at least one light entrance opening or opens into this. Thus, the light source is either directly associated with the light exit openings or spaced therefrom arranged, in which case the light is passed through the light passage channel from the light source to the light exit opening. Depending on the embodiment of the contact pin, for example, as a spring contact pin or switch contact pin, offers one or the other arrangement of the light source.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the light source is preferably associated with a collimator or a collimator lens. Through the collimator, a bundle of parallel light beams is generated from the light emitted by the light source in a spherical manner, this bundle of beams being alignable or oriented in a desired direction. For this purpose, the collimator or the converging lens is preferably arranged at a short distance from the light source or bulbs of the light source, in particular in the collimator focal length. By bundling the light into parallel light beams, it can be directed in a targeted manner into the light passageway or the light entry opening of the light passageway. The bundling of the light by means of the collimator ensures that a sufficiently visible light intensity is maintained at the light exit opening, in particular for a longer / long light passage, because the light is less reflected and / or absorbed by the bundling of obstacles in the light passage channel, that is less attenuated becomes. The light source preferably has the converging lens or the collimator. For this purpose, for example, the collimator on a support, in particular printed circuit board, arranged for the one or more bulbs.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the light passage channel at least partially passes through the contact piston, a spring associated with the contact piston, the jacket sleeve, an inner structure of the contact pin located in the jacket sleeve and / or the entire contact pin. This ensures that the light from the light source reaches the light exit opening at least substantially without interference to the maximum possible light intensity at the light exit opening ensure safe reading out of the given by the light source coding.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the light source is connected to an electrical current path, which leads to an externally accessible electrical interface of the contact pin or the aforementioned mounting sleeve for the contact pin. As a result, the light source can be easily supplied with electrical energy and operated by the controller. The electrical connection is carried out, for example, either directly through the contact pin itself or indirectly with the interposition of the contact pin receiving mounting sleeve, as described in more detail below with reference to the contact pin arrangement according to the invention. In a first embodiment, the current path is the test current path which is used by the contact pin for making electrical contact with the test object or the test object. Thus, the light source is electrically in the same current path, which is also used for an electrical test of the test object. According to a second embodiment, the light source is connected to its own light-current path, which is formed independently of an optionally present test current path.

According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the current path, in particular the light current path or the test current path, is formed at least in sections by a spring element which acts on the contact piston with a spring force and which is designed to be electrically conductive. Thus, the already existing in a conventional spring contact pin spring element is used to form the current path, in particular the light-current path, with. This ensures a simple electrical connection of the light source to the electrical interface, in particular to the mounting sleeve. For the electrically conductive design of the spring element, which is preferably designed as a helical spring, it is provided that the spring element is made of an electrically conductive material or is provided with at least one electrically conductive conductor. Preferably, the spring element has an electrically insulating coating, so that the spring element is electrically insulated from adjacent components of the contact pin, in particular the jacket sleeve or a further spring element. In this case, then the electrical insulation is broken only at the contact points to the light source or a light source carrying circuit board or circuit and to the electrical interface. In particular, the ends of the coil spring are formed without coatings for electrical contacting. According to an advantageous development is also provided that two spring elements present are, which act parallel to each other and are arranged as helical springs, in particular coaxially with each other in the contact pin and in each case form a current path, wherein the two current paths are electrically separated from each other. For this purpose, the two spring elements or coil springs are also provided with an electrically insulating layer. The contact piston is then compressed against the force of the two spring elements in the jacket sleeve upon application of force. By integrating or forming a current path in the respective spring element, space-saving current conduction in the contact pin is achieved. According to a further embodiment, it is preferably provided that the partially forming a current path by at least one spring element, as described above, is used in a contact pin without a light source, which is formed for example as a simple spring contact pin or switch contact pin or the like. Again, the integration of the current path in the spring element offers advantages in terms of the available space. In particular, the spring contact pin / contact pin can thereby also be dimensioned smaller than before. Here, too, at least two coaxially arranged and electrically conductive coil springs are preferably provided, which are electrically separated from one another to produce two different current paths, as already described above. Preferably, the light source is connected to a located in the contact pin or in said mounting sleeve electrical / electronic circuit.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the light passage channel has at least one light influencing means, which is in particular formed as a light reflecting agent, a light scattering agent, a Lichteinfärbungsmittel and / or at least one optical lens, in particular collimator, at least one light filter and / or at least one light aperture. The light influencing means is arranged directly in the light passage channel, whereby the light passage channel is advantageously used for influencing the light generated by the light source. Since the light passage channel is present anyway, depending on the embodiment of the contact pin, the existing space in the contact pin is thereby optimally utilized. Optionally, the light passage channel has at least one diameter change over its length. By the change in diameter, for example, the advantage is achieved that an axial contact surface or a step is generated, to which in particular the said light influencing means can be arranged and fastened. In particular, it is provided that on the jacket sleeve of the contact pin or on the contact piston, in particular the contact tip, at least one of the light exit opening associated reflection surface is arranged, at which the light exit opening abandoned light is advantageously reflected in the environment. Thus, the reflection surface is preferably formed as a reflection ring, which extends over the entire circumference of the contact pin, so that the operator can detect an annular light signal. The reflection surface is formed, for example integrated in the contact piston, the contact tip or the jacket sleeve, or formed by a separate reflection ring which is pushed onto the contact piston, the contact tip or the jacket sleeve. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that in the contact piston and / or the jacket sleeve a plurality of light exit openings are arranged axially one behind the other, which are released or closed / covered depending on the sliding position of the contact piston of the jacket sleeve or the contact piston, so that depending on the piston position different light signals from the Contact pin to be sent out. It is also conceivable to release and close a light inlet opening of the light passageway as a function of the sliding position of the contact piston. In particular, when the light source or the light source is arranged on / in the mounting sleeve or in / on a connecting piece of the mounting sleeve or the contact pin, influencing the light inlet opening in dependence on the sliding position of the contact piston space can be realized. In particular, it is provided that in the non-deflected position of the contact piston, the light inlet opening of the light passage channel formed on the contact piston is arranged at a distance from a closing element of the mounting sleeve and / or the connection piece. If the contact piston springs in as a result of a test procedure, it approaches the closing element with the light entry opening until it completely closes off the light entry opening, so that further passage of light is prevented.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the light source, in particular the light current path, is electrically isolated from at least one electrical test current path of the contact pin and / or said mounting sleeve. This ensures that the operation of the light source is independent of the test operation of the contact pin. In particular, a short circuit between the two electrical current paths, that is, the light-current path associated with the light source and an electrical test current path of the contact pin, is thereby reliably prevented. The electrical / galvanic separation is ensured, for example, by an electrically insulating coating applied to the respective current path, as already described, for example, with regard to the electrically conductive spring element or the electrically conductive spring elements.

Furthermore, the light passageway preferably extends at least in sections along, parallel and / or obliquely to a central longitudinal axis of the contact pin or said mounting sleeve. Due to the parallel course, the light can be guided in particular, for example, from one end of the contact pin to the other end of the jacket sleeve without much effort. Due to the oblique course in particular a radial light emission from the contact pin is ensured in a simple manner. Particularly preferably, the light passage is formed as a combination of a parallel course and an at least partially oblique course, so that for example the light source is disposed at one end of the jacket sleeve, and the light generated by it at the other end or in the region of the contact piston by an oblique there present Course of the light passageway channel is discharged radially or at least substantially radially out of the contact pin.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the light source is driven in dependence on the position of the longitudinally displaceably guided contact piston. This control takes place, for example, by the previously mentioned control, which monitors the position of the contact piston in the jacket sleeve. For this purpose, the contact pin is formed, for example, as a switching contact pin having discrete switching states or a continuously variable switching state. Alternatively, the light source is controlled directly in response to the position of the contact piston, for example, by the current path for powering the light source is influenced by the position of the contact piston. This can be achieved, for example, by virtue of the contact pin having an electrical contact element which is in electrical contact contact with a conductor rail on the jacket sleeve of the contact pin, wherein the conductor rail is designed as a resistance rail having a resistance which changes over the longitudinal extension, and wherein the light source is electrically connected to the contact element and the busbar is connected, so that a direct influence of the light generated by the light source is effected by the current position of the contact piston. Also, the control of the light source can be purely optical, as already mentioned above, for example, when moving or by moving the contact piston one or more light exit openings and / or a light inlet opening of the light passage channel are closed or released.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the light source is arranged interchangeable in or on the contact pin or the mounting sleeve. This allows the light source when needed, especially for maintenance purposes. The life of the contact pin is thereby increased overall.

The contact pin arrangement according to the invention with the features of claim 15 is characterized in that it comprises at least one arranged inside the mounting sleeve light source having at least one electrically activatable light source, wherein the contact pin at least one provided with light entrance and light exit opening light passage channel for emitted from the light source Owns light. The contact pin arrangement according to the invention thus provides that the light source is not arranged directly in the contact pin, but in the mounting sleeve receiving the contact pin. Mounting sleeves are basically known and facilitate the replacement of the contact pin, if it has critical signs of wear. The light source itself is not subject to any mechanical wear, in contrast to the contact pin, and therefore inherently has a longer life than the contact pin. The fact that the light source is arranged in the mounting sleeve, there is the advantage that when replacing the contact pin, the light source is not mitausgetauscht, so that there are cost advantages through the longer use of the light source. In addition, this results in a simple electrical contacting of the light source.

Preferably, the light source is designed like the previously described light source of the contact pin according to the invention. This results in the already mentioned advantages. Further advantages and features and combinations of features emerge in particular from the previously described and from the drawings.

Figuren 1 A bis C

eine vorteilhafte Kontaktstiftanordnung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figuren 2 A bis E

die Kontaktstiftanordnung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Figuren 3 A bis C

die Kontaktstiftanordnung gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figuren 4 A bis C

die Kontaktstiftanordnung gemäß einem vierten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figuren 5 A bis E

die Kontaktstiftanordnung gemäß einem fünften Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 6

einen vorteilhaften Kontaktstift gemäß einem sechsten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figuren 7 A bis D

den Kontaktstift gemäß einem siebten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 8

den Kontaktstift gemäß einem achten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 9

den Kontaktstift gemäß einem neunten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 10

den Kontaktstift gemäß einem zehnten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 11

den Kontaktstift gemäß einem elften Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 12

den Kontaktstift gemäß einem zwölften Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 13

den Kontaktstift gemäß einem dreizehnten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 14

eine Montagehülse der Kontaktstiftanordnung gemäß einem vierzehnten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Figur 15

die Montagehülse gemäß einem fünfzehnten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Figur 16

die Kontaktstiftanordnung gemäß einem sechzehnten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figuren 17 A bis C

den Kontaktstift gemäß einem siebzehnten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figuren 18 A bis C

den Kontaktstift gemäß einem achtzehnten Ausführungsbeispiel, und

Figur 19

eine vorteilhafte Lichtquelle.

In the following, the invention will be discussed with reference to the drawing. Show this

FIGS. 1A to C

an advantageous contact pin arrangement according to a first embodiment,

Figures 2 A to E

the contact pin arrangement according to a second embodiment.

Figures 3 A to C

the contact pin arrangement according to a third embodiment,

FIGS. 4 A to C

the contact pin arrangement according to a fourth embodiment,

Figures 5 A to E

the contact pin arrangement according to a fifth embodiment,

FIG. 6

an advantageous contact pin according to a sixth embodiment,

FIGS. 7A to D

the contact pin according to a seventh embodiment,

FIG. 8

the contact pin according to an eighth embodiment,

FIG. 9

the contact pin according to a ninth embodiment,

FIG. 10

the contact pin according to a tenth embodiment,

FIG. 11

the contact pin according to an eleventh embodiment,

FIG. 12

the contact pin according to a twelfth embodiment,

FIG. 13

the contact pin according to a thirteenth embodiment,

FIG. 14

a mounting sleeve of the contact pin arrangement according to a fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 15

the mounting sleeve according to a fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 16

the contact pin arrangement according to a sixteenth embodiment,

FIGS. 17A to C

the contact pin according to a seventeenth embodiment,

FIGS. 18A to C

the contact pin according to an eighteenth embodiment, and

FIG. 19

an advantageous light source.

FIGS. 1A to C show an advantageous contact pin arrangement 1 with a contact pin 2, the in Figure 1A is shown in a longitudinal sectional view, and with a mounting sleeve 3, the in FIG. 1B is shown in a longitudinal sectional view. The contact pin assembly is assembled in Figure 1C also shown in a longitudinal section.

The contact pin 2 is formed according to the present embodiment as a switching contact pin. In this case, the contact pin 2 has a jacket sleeve 4, in which a contact piston 5 is mounted longitudinally displaceable. In this case, the contact piston 5 on a contact tip 6, the protrudes from the jacket 4 frontally and in this case integrally formed with the contact piston 5. For this purpose, a spring element 7 is arranged in the casing sleeve 4, which is supported at one end to the casing sleeve 4 and the other end to the contact piston 5 to push it out of the casing sleeve 4. By formed in the jacket sleeve 4 diameter taper 8 of the contact piston 5 is positively prevented from completely emerge from the jacket sleeve 4.

The contact piston 5 also has a remote from the contact tip 6 end of the above switching piston 9, which extends axially in the extension of the contact piston 5 in the mounting sleeve and is firmly connected to the contact piston 5. The spring element 7 is in particular designed as a helical spring which is arranged coaxially with the switching piston 9, so that the contact piston 9 extends into the helical spring or centrally through the helical spring.

Furthermore, a switching pin 10 is arranged in the jacket sleeve 4, which extends through the end facing away from the switching piston 5 end of the jacket sleeve 4 and is held firmly in the jacket sleeve 4.

The switching pin 10 is, as in particular the switching piston 9 also, electrically conductive and ends in the unloaded state of the contact piston 5 spaced from the switching piston 9 in the jacket sleeve 4. Only when contacted with the contact pin 2 to be tested contact and thus the Contact piston 5 springs into the jacket sleeve 4, the switching pin 10 comes in touching contact with the switching piston 9, whereby an electrical connection is made from the contact piston 5 to the switching pin 10. Alternatively, it is provided that the switching piston 9 and the contact piston 5 are themselves electrically non-conductive, instead of the switching pin 10 has a displaceable contact pin 10 'and a fixedly arranged in the jacket sleeve 4 pin cylinder 10 ", wherein in dependence on the sliding position of the contact pins 10 ', an electrical contact is made in the switching pin 10, for example, when the contact pin 10' has been inserted sufficiently far into the contact cylinder 10 ".

In the FIG. 1B shown mounting sleeve 3 offers the advantage of easy installation and in particular a simple replacement of the contact pin 2, for example, when the contact piston 5, in particular the contact tip 6, has signs of wear. The mounting sleeve 3 is mounted in front of the contact pin in the bore of a test plate and the Contact pin 2 then inserted axially. In the present case, the mounting sleeve 3 has an insertion opening 11, through which the contact pin 2 can be inserted into the mounting sleeve 3. In order to ensure a secure locking of the contact pin 2 in the mounting sleeve 3, usually the jacket sleeve 4 expediently an external thread that cooperates with an internal thread of the mounting sleeve 3, so that the contact pin 2 can be screwed into the mounting sleeve 3. Alternatively, as an attachment, a press fit, a bayonet lock or the like may be provided. At the end facing away from the insertion opening 11, the mounting sleeve 3 carries an electrical interface 12, by means of which the contact pin arrangement 1 is electrically connectable to an external device, such as a test device. The interface 12 is formed as a plug-in interface and has a receptacle 13, which is presently designed as a clamping receptacle, and in which that of the contact pin 2 projecting free end of the switch pin 10 during assembly of the contact pin 2 of the mounting sleeve 3 inserted and thereby by touch contact electrically contactable, as in Figure 1C shown. The interface 12 may be formed integrated in the mounting sleeve 3, or as in FIGS. 1B and 1C According to the following embodiment, be formed by a mounted on the free end of the mounting sleeve 3, in particular screwed or screwed connection piece 14.

In that regard, the contact pin assembly 1 substantially corresponds to that of a conventional switching contact pin with mounting sleeve.

Advantageously, the present contact pin arrangement 1 has an integrated light source 15. In the present case, the light source 15 has electrically activatable illuminant 16, which in the present case is designed as a light-emitting diode (LED). According to the present embodiment, the lighting means 16 is arranged in the contact piston 5.

The lighting means 16 is arranged in a cavity 17 between the contact tip 6 facing the end of the switching piston 9, which hineinerstreckt into the contact piston 5, and the contact tip on the contact piston 9 frontally. The cavity 17 is associated with a light exit opening 18 which is formed eccentrically in the contact piston 5 in the region of the contact tip 6. The light exit opening 18 is designed as an axially extending or axially aligned bore, for which reason this light exit opening 18 is referred to as an axial light exit opening 18.

For operating the light source 15, the light source 16 is either integrated into a test current path of the contact pin arrangement 1 and, for example, electrically connected to the switching piston 9, so that as soon as the switching contact has been made, the light source 16 is activated. Or the light-emitting means 16 is associated with a separate light-current path and formed in the contact pin 2, for example, parallel to the control piston 9. Conveniently, the interface 12 of the mounting sleeve 3 then has an additional contact terminal for the current path of the light-emitting means 16.

Because the lighting means 16 is integrated directly into the contact pin 2 or the contact pin arrangement 1, an illumination function is realized in the same, laterally limited installation space of a test adapter, in which a plurality of the contact pin arrangements 1 are arranged. The fact that the electrically activatable light-emitting means 16 is arranged directly in the contact pin 2, this space-saving and inexpensive realized. By means of the light source 15, a visual signal can be displayed on the end facing the test object of the contact pin 2, by illuminating means 16 is activated. This can be used, for example, as an instruction to carry out an activity corresponding to the lighting state. The electrical energy for the lighting is provided externally and provided to the light source 16 via one of the mentioned current paths. In particular, in the variant in which the lamp 16 is assigned its own light-current path, an activation of the lamp 16 is independent of the switching state of the contact pin 2 and the operating state possible.

The illumination may be brought into different states by external or internal circuitry / commands, such as on, continuously or flashing and / or changing color, off, or if more than one illuminant 16 is present, a combination of on and off. The desired states are expediently set beforehand by the user in a test routine. They may follow a rigid sequence, for example to implement an assembly instruction, and / or be conditioned by events in the test procedure, that is, depending on test results.

The lighting means 16 is expediently designed to emit light in the visible range. For this purpose, the light-emitting means 16 is preferably designed as a light-emitting diode (LED), as an SMD chip (preferably axially or laterally radiating), as a classic round shape (naked chip or potted), monochrome or multi-colored. As already mentioned, a plurality of lighting means 16 can also be arranged in the contact pin 2. Alternatively to training as an LED is also conceivable to form the light-emitting means 16 as a laser, in particular in the form of an SMD chip. In principle, it is also conceivable to design the lighting means 16 in such a way that it emits light in a spectrum which is not visible to humans, in which case a corresponding sensor is present for receiving the light signal in order to be able to evaluate the light signal.

At the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, both the contact tip 6 and the illumination or the lighting means 16 face the test object and the operator of the test arrangement having the contact pin arrangement 1. The light emission is due to the light exit opening 18 on the contact head 6. If the light source 16 is not indirectly associated with the receptacle 17 or the light exit opening 18, as shown in the first embodiment, then in the contact pin or the contact pin arrangement 1 is a beam guiding provided with at least one light passage channel which guides the light from the light source 16 to the light exit opening 18.

Various variants of the advantageous contact pin arrangement 1 will be explained below with reference to the further figures. Elements already known from the first exemplary embodiment are provided with the same reference numerals, so that reference is made to the preceding description. Essentially, it is only about the differences.

FIGS. 2A to E show a second embodiment of the contact pin assembly 1, in which the contact pin 2 is designed as a latch pin, and in which the light source 15 is not arranged in the contact piston 5, but in the mounting sleeve 3.

According to FIG. 2A shows the contact pin 2 in a longitudinal sectional view. FIG. 2B shows the mounting sleeve 3 and the FIG. 2C the composite contact pin arrangement 1 each in a longitudinal sectional view. In the jacket sleeve 4 of the contact piston 5 is slidably mounted, wherein the contact piston 5 in comparison to the previous embodiment further extends into the jacket sleeve 4 inside. Again, the contact piston counteracts a coil spring. The contact piston 5 protrudes on the contact tip 6 side facing away from the casing sleeve 4 out. The contact piston 5 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and the piston tip 6 is formed by a placed on the hollow cylindrical contact piston 5 element. Characterized in that the contact piston 5 is formed in a hollow cylinder, it forms a central Light passage 19, which extends from the mounting sleeve 3 end facing up to the patch contact tip 6.

The mounting sleeve 3 has at the interface 12, the light source 15, which is integrated, for example, in the switching pin 10 provided there. In this case, the light source is associated with the contact pin 2 such that the light generated by it enters the light passage 19 or can occur. According to the present embodiment, the contact tip 6 has two light exit openings 18, which are assigned to the end of the contact piston 5 facing the contact tip 6 in order to guide the light which passes through the light passage 19 to the outside. The light exit openings 18 are formed at an angle to a central longitudinal axis of the contact pin 2, so that the light exits both axially and radially from the contact pin 2.

Figures 2 D and 2 E each show an enlarged view of the contact pin assembly 1 according to the second embodiment in the region of the light source 15th

It is shown that here the light source 15 has several, in this case in particular 3 bulbs 16, which are arranged on the front side of a arranged in the mounting sleeve 3 hollow cylindrical holder 20. The holder 20 serves at the same time for guiding and supporting the switching pin 10. The lighting means 16 are arranged adjacent to the switching pin 10 to this surrounding. FIG. 2 D shows the unactuated state of the contact pin 2 and Figure 2 E actuated, in which the contact piston 5 has been displaced in the direction of the switching pin 10 until it is in touching contact with this. The switching pin 10 and the contact piston 5 are designed such that the contact piston 5 can be pushed onto the contact switching pin 10 until the switching pin 10 completely closes the formed in the contact piston 5 light passage 19. When actuated contact pin 2 while the passage of light is blocked to the light exit openings 18. As a result, a test of the functionality of the contact pin assembly 1 is easily possible.

FIGS. 3A to C show a third embodiment in which the illustrated contact pin 2 can be used with or without mounting sleeve 3.

In contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiments, it is provided here that the contact pin 2 has a plurality of lighting means 16. In this case, it is provided that some of the light-emitting means 16 are arranged in casing wall openings 21 of the jacket sleeve 4 and thus do not need any additional light passage or an additional light exit opening. In the present case, the lighting means are arranged axially next to each other and are in particular designed to produce different colors, so that the light generated is emitted laterally, laterally or radially from the contact pin 2. Furthermore, in the contact pin 2, in this case in the contact piston 5, another light source 16 is arranged, the light of which can escape from the contact piston 5 through lateral light exit openings 18.

This shows FIG. 3B a longitudinal sectional view through the contact pin 2 in the region of the contact piston 5. The lateral light exit openings 18 in the contact piston 5 are arranged in the contact piston 5, that they project from the jacket sleeve 4, when the contact pin 2 is not actuated. As soon as the contact piston 5 presses into the jacket sleeve 4, the light exit openings 18 are covered by the mounting sleeve and the light from the interior illuminant 16 can no longer escape through the light exit openings 18, as in FIG FIG. 3C shown.

At the contact tip 6, which has a contacting surface 22, which contacts the test object to be tested during operation, a further light exit opening 18 is formed in this case, which is not aligned laterally or radially, but axially, so that the light from the inner luminous element 16 or another of the contact tip 6 associated lighting element 16 can escape axially from the contact pin 2.

The liquid particles 16 which are arranged in the contact piston 5 are advantageously arranged on a guide plate 23, which is held fixedly in the contact piston 5. The printed circuit board 23 also optionally carries an electronic unit 30, which, for example, controls the lighting means 16 on the printed circuit board 23 and optionally also controls the lighting means 16 in the jacket wall of the jacket sleeve 4.

FIGS. 4A to 4C show a further embodiment of the contact pin 4, wherein FIG. 4A a partial perspective view, FIG. 4B an axial plan view and FIG. 4C show a longitudinal sectional view.

Similar to the second embodiment, here, the contact piston 5 is formed in a hollow cylinder, so that it has a light passage 19, which leads to the light exit openings 18 which emerge at an angle from the contact piston 5 in the region of the contact tip 6 of the contact piston, as best in FIG. 4C is apparent.

Advantageously, it is provided that the contact piston 5 is narrower on the contact tip 6 facing side than on the other side of the light exit openings 18, so that a radial projection of the contact piston 5 below the contact tip 6 and the contacting surface 22 is formed, resulting in the contact piston 5 forms a radially projecting reflection surface 24, which advantageously reflects the light generated by the light source 16 in the environment. In particular, this ensures a large-area reflection, which facilitates the recognition of the illumination for the operator. In the present embodiment, the contact pin 2 is also designed as a simple spring contact pin, in particular without switching function.

FIGS. 5A to E show a fifth embodiment of the contact pin 2 that differs from the previous embodiment essentially in that the contact tip 6 is tapered tapered, and formed below the cone shape a plurality of lateral or lateral light exit openings 18. FIG. 5A shows the contact pin in a perspective view, FIG. 5B in an enlarged detail and FIG. 5C in a longitudinal sectional view.

The jacket sleeve 4 of the contact pin 2 has a reflection ring 25, which is either formed integrally with the jacket sleeve 4 or, as shown in the present embodiment, is pushed onto the jacket sleeve 4. The reflection ring 25 has the present conical or wedge-shaped reflection surface 24, which is aligned at approximately 45 ° to the longitudinal center axis (shown in dashed lines) of the contact pin 2 and in the direction of the jacket sleeve 4, ie from the contact tip 6, tapers. Here, too, the advantageous reflection surface 24 helps the surgeon to recognize the illumination of the contact pin 2. Preferably, the reflection surface 24 is formed as a continuous annular surface, so that the illumination is particularly well visible annular. It is ensured by the plurality of light exit openings 18 that the reflection surface 24 is illuminated substantially uniformly when the light source 16 is activated in the interior of the contact pin 2.

FIGS. 5D and E show a variant of the fifth embodiment, in which the light exit openings 18 are covered by a transparent light-emitting ring 26 'with internal reflection surface. The spreading ring 26 'is thus illuminated from the inside, because it covers the light exit openings 18, in particular in FIG. 5E shows and scatters the light into the environment. This also simplifies the operation of the surgeon.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the contact pin 2 in a perspective view, according to this embodiment, the jacket sleeve 4 itself has two axial light exit openings 18 at its the contact piston 5 and the contact tip 6 end facing, so that the contact piston 5 is mitbeleuchtet when the light source or the light source are activated / is.

FIGS. 7A to 7D show a further embodiment of the contact pin 2 of the contact pin assembly 1. Also in this embodiment, the contact pin 2 can be used with or without mounting sleeve. In contrast to the fifth embodiment according to FIG. 5 is provided here that the contact piston 5 has a plurality of axially spaced from one another in series light exit openings 18 through which the light introduced into the light passage 19 light from the contact pin 2 laterally / laterally relieving meadow can escape radially. FIG. 7A shows the contact pin 2 in a perspective view and Figures 7B and 7D show the contact pin 2 in a longitudinal sectional view in each case in different operating positions in which the contact piston 5 is spring-loaded different degrees in the casing sleeve 4.

In the present case, the contact piston 5 has a total of eight lateral light exit openings, of which four are each arranged on one side of the contact piston 5. The eight light exit openings 18 are formed by four transverse bores which pass through the central longitudinal axis of the contact piston 5, as in FIGS. 7B to 7D shown, manufactured. The contact piston 5 is in the maximum pushed by the spring element 7 position, which is defined by the guide 8 of the jacket sleeve 4, are all the light exit openings 18 substantially outside of the jacket sleeve 4. The jacket sleeve 4 closest to the light exit opening 18 is located at height of the reflection ring 25, so that the light exiting through this light exit opening 18 hits the reflection surface 24 and is reflected in the manner described above into the environment.

If the contact piston 5 is threaded through the contact contacting of an object during operation, the light exit opening 18 closest to the jacket sleeve 4 enters the jacket sleeve 4, so that this light exit opening 18 is closed and the light is only blocked by the three light exit openings 18 remaining outside the jacket sleeve 4 can escape, as in FIG. 7C shown. If the contact piston 5 is further compressed, such as in Figure 7D are shown, all the light exit openings 18 of the contact piston. 5 closed by the jacket sleeve 4, so that the illumination of the contact pin 2 is completely turned off in this case.

In this case, the operator can quickly recognize by means of the plurality of light outlet openings 18 how far the contact piston 5 springs in and whether, for example, it springs in as far as expected, or if it has to be closed due to too small or too wide compression on a mechanical problem of the contact piston and / or the test object ,

FIG. 8 shows an eighth embodiment of the contact pin 2, wherein the light source 15 is arranged in the mounting sleeve 3, as shown for example in the second embodiment. In the present case, the contact piston 5 has a continuous light channel 19 which ends below the contact tip 6 of the contact piston 5 in two axially aligned light exit openings 18. Thus, the eighth embodiment is similar to the in FIG. 3A shown third embodiment, in which case the lateral lighting means 16 in the jacket wall of the jacket sleeve 4 is omitted. Also, in this case, outlet openings 18 do not have inclined reflecting surfaces 24.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment, which essentially in the first embodiment of FIG. 1 equivalent. The contact pin 2 has at the contact tip 6 of the contact piston 5 a plurality of axially aligned light exit openings 8, which open in the light passage 19, which passes through the contact pin 2. In contrast to the first embodiment, in this case, as in the eighth embodiment, the light source 15 is arranged on the mounting sleeve 3 or in the mounting sleeve 3, and not in the contact pin 2 itself as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows in a longitudinal sectional view of a tenth embodiment, in which the contact pin 2 itself carries the light source 15, as in the first embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, the contact tip 6 is not pointed, but formed as a flat contact tip with the contacting surface 22, in which the axial light exit opening 18 is formed, so that the light generated by the light emitting means 16 axially exits the contact pin 2. The lighting means 16 is fixedly arranged in the contact piston 5, so that the springs with the contact piston 5 in the jacket sleeve 4. For this purpose, the holder 20 for the lamp 16 is fixedly arranged in the contact piston 5. In this case, the holder 20 is not hollow cylinder-shaped, but preferably solid, in order to ensure a tight fit of the lamp 16. Of course, the holder 20 However, to be made to hollow cylinder material saving and weight saving. However, because the light from the light source 16 is generated between the support and the light exit opening 18, the hollow formation of the support 20 for the passage of light is not necessary.

FIG. 11 shows an eleventh embodiment of the contact pin 2, which differs from the preceding embodiment in that the light source 15 is mounted on the jacket sleeve 4 facing the end of the piston 5 by the holder 20. As a result, the light source 15 is protected further back in the contact piston. 5

FIG. 12 shows a twelfth embodiment in which the contact pin 2 differs from the previous embodiment in that the light source 15 is not moved with the piston, but is fixedly arranged in the jacket sleeve 4 of the contact pin 2. Although the holder 20 is disposed within the contact piston 5, but firmly connected to the jacket sleeve 4, for example, by the connecting pin 10 fixedly arranged in the jacket sleeve 4.

FIG. 13 shows a thirteenth embodiment of the contact pin 2, that differs from the preceding embodiment in that the light source 15 is arranged in the jacket sleeve 4, and that at the end remote from the contact piston 5 of the contact pin 2. For this purpose, the holder 20 is for example pressed into the end of the mounting sleeve facing away from the contact piston 5 and optionally held therein by additional fastening means. The jacket sleeve 4 then forms in this case even the light passage 19, which leads through the mounting sleeve and the hollow cylindrical contact piston 5 to the axial light exit opening 18 at the contact tip 6. The light source 15 is thus arranged in the region of the external thread of the jacket sleeve 4, which is screwed into the internal thread of the mounting sleeve.

FIG. 14 shows a fourteenth embodiment of the contact pin assembly 1, wherein the light source is arranged in the mounting sleeve 3 according to the second embodiment. In this case, the light source is attached to the insertion opening 11 facing away from the end of the mounting sleeve 3 and can be contacted there via electrical connection points 26 directly electrically. Again, the bulb 16 is advantageously designed as a light emitting diode.

FIG. 15 shows a fifteenth embodiment, in which the light source 15 is also associated with the mounting sleeve 3. In contrast to the previous embodiment, however, it is provided that the light source 15 is arranged in the fitting 14 which can be screwed onto the mounting sleeve 3. For this purpose, the mounting sleeve 3 at its end facing away from the insertion opening 11 an external thread 27 which cooperates with an internal thread 28 of the connecting piece 14. The mounting sleeve 3 is completed by the connector 14 or supplemented with the light source 15. In this case, it is provided that the connecting piece 14 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and carries the light source 15 through the holder 20 in the interior.

The contact pin arrangement 1 is particularly simple to carry out in this way and, moreover, in this way the illumination of the contact pin arrangement 1 can be subsequently added to an existing contact pin arrangement. Instead of the screw connection between connection piece 14 and mounting sleeve 3, a simple plug connection or bayonet connection can also be provided. The connector causes in particular a press fit between connector 14 and mounting sleeve 3, to ensure a secure holding the light source 15 to the mounting sleeve 3, in particular without this an existing mounting sleeve 3 would have to be changed. It only has to be selected according to the outer or inner diameter of the connecting piece 14 in order to realize the radial interference fit with the mounting sleeve.

FIG. 16 shows a sixteenth embodiment of the contact pin assembly 1, wherein the contact pin 2 in the mounting sleeve 3, as in the embodiment of the FIG. 15 is shown used. For this purpose, the contact pin 2 is screwed with its mounting sleeve 3 facing the end in the mounting sleeve 3. According to the present embodiment, the contact tip 6 is formed as a plate needle with an annular plate contact 29 which extends around the entire circumference of the contact piston 5 spaced from the mounting sleeve 3 extends. The light exit opening 18 is formed in this case on the axial end face of the contact piston 5 and opens into the axial light passage 19 formed by a bore in the contact piston 5 or by the hollow cylindrical design of the contact piston 5 and the mounting sleeve 3 and the jacket sleeve 4 of the contact pin 2 is, so that the light generated by the light source 16 passes through the entire contact pin 2 to the light exit opening 18 is substantially barrier-free.

FIGS. 17A to C show a further embodiment of the contact pin arrangement 1. As in the embodiment of FIG. 3 is provided that the lamp 16 is disposed on the circuit board 23, which is installed axially in the contact piston 5. In the illuminant 16 and the electronics 30 is disposed on the circuit board 23 within the contact piston 15.

Figure 17B shows a perspective detailed view of the circuit board 23 with the electronics 30 and the light-emitting element 16. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 16 is adapted to emit light axially in the direction of the axially formed light exit opening 18 at the piston tip 16.

Figure 17C shows a further embodiment in which on the circuit board in addition to the light emitting means 16, which radiates axially, a further light source 16 is provided that laterally or laterally / radiated radially and, for example, a lateral light exit opening 18 in the jacket wall of the contact piston 5 (in Figure 17A not shown).

FIG. 18 shows a further embodiment, which differs from the preceding embodiment in that the circuit board 23 is not plate-shaped and formed axially or longitudinally, but disc-shaped and installed radially or transversely. For this purpose, the circuit board 23 has a circular contour whose outer diameter corresponds to an inner diameter of the jacket sleeve 4 of the contact pin 2, as exemplified in Figure 18C which shows the light source 15 with a disk-shaped circuit board 23 in a perspective view. The printed circuit board 23 thus lies transversely in the jacket sleeve 4 or coaxially to the jacket sleeve 4 a. According to the embodiment in Figure 18A It is provided that the circuit board 23 is fixedly arranged on the jacket sleeve 4 facing the end of the contact piston 5 and thereby mitbewegbar with the contact piston 5. On its front side facing the contact piston 5, the guide plate 23 has a plurality of presently three, illuminating means 16, which are in particular designed to transmit the light through the contact piston 5 to the axial light exit opening 18 on the piston tip 6. The lamps 16 are arranged inside the piston 5, so that they are all in the light passage 19, which is formed in the contact piston 5, are. In the exemplary embodiment, the contact pin 2 is formed as a coaxial contact pin, which thus has a plurality of parallel, namely coaxially extending electrical current paths, on the one hand, the lighting means 16 and the circuit board 19 and on the other hand, the contact piston 5 itself to be electrically connected to an external device.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18B is unlike the embodiment of Figure 18A provided that the circuit board 23 is fixedly arranged in the jacket sleeve 4. In particular, the circuit board 23 is arranged such that the spring element 7, which is also designed here as a helical spring, is clamped between the circuit board 23 and the contact piston 5. As a result, the circuit board 23 is urged by the spring tension of the spring element 7 against an axial stop of the jacket sleeve 4, which is formed by a further taper 31 of the jacket sleeve 4, and thereby firmly locked in the jacket sleeve 4.

The circuit board 23 has both in the embodiment of Figure 18A as well as in the embodiment of FIG. 18B on its side remote from the contact piston 5 back one or more contact pads 32, through which an electrical contact contacting the circuit board 23 with the current paths of the contact pin 2 and optionally the mounting sleeve 3 is made possible.

As already mentioned, it is made possible by the different exemplified embodiments of the contact pin arrangement 1 that an illumination of the respective contact pin 2 is integrated into the contact pin arrangement 1. The contact piston 5 can be, but need not be, powered by a spring 7. It is also conceivable, for example, to displace the contact piston pneumatically by actuating the mechanism.

The illumination of the contact pin 2 in the embodiments described above can fulfill different functions. On the one hand, the at least one light source 16 serves to emit a visual signal at the end of the contact pin 2 facing the test object. The main function is to generate for the operator a visually warning signaling, in particular as an instruction to carry out an activity corresponding to the illumination state. The electrical energy for the illumination is provided externally to the pin 2 and fed via suitable cabling and interfaces as described above. The lighting can be brought into different states by external or internal interconnections / commands. It is also possible, for example, to turn on the respective light source 16 so that it generates light continuously or flashing, and / or lights up with a certain color or changes color. Furthermore, the lighting can be switched off. Also, a plurality of light sources 15 be operated differently in a combination of the above possibilities. The states of the illumination are expediently determined by the operator in the test routine or can follow a rigid sequence, for example, to realize an assembly instruction, and / or be conditioned by events in the test procedure, that are given as a function of current test results.

While in the described embodiments, the lighting means 16 are always formed as light-emitting diodes, it is alternatively also possible to provide laser diodes as lighting means. The lighting element or elements 16 are in most cases facing the test object and the operator. The light exit is thus ideally located on the contact head 5, as shown in many of the described embodiments. In this case, the light source 15 is either placed directly at the light exit location or provided by a suitable beam guide (light passage 19). The respective lighting means 16 can be arranged close to the test object or at the contact tip 16 in order to ensure a simple beam guidance. However, this means a somewhat complicated electrical connection. Or the light source 16 is arranged close to the connection side of the contact pin 2, which simplifies the electrical connection, but makes the beam guidance somewhat more difficult. In principle, the light source 15 in the contact pin 2, in particular in the piston moved or mantelfest or in the casing sleeve 4 of the contact pin 2 are fixed to the housing. Alternatively, the light source 15 is arranged in the mounting sleeve 3 in the contact pin 2. Particularly preferably, the light source 15 is arranged in the connecting piece 14 of the mounting sleeve 3 that can be fastened / fastened to the mounting sleeve 3 by a plug connection, screw connection or the like.

As a support for the light source 15 are in particular the printed circuit board 23 described, which is either plate-shaped and axially mounted, as in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 17 shown, or disc-shaped and radially mounted, as in embodiment of FIG. 18 shown. The circuit board 23 is also axially movable or stationary in the contact pin arrangement 1 arranged. On the circuit board 23, in addition to the light sources 16 optionally also further electronic components for controlling or extending the functionality of the light source 15 are arranged. Alternatively, specially designed brackets 20 which receive, carry and electrically apply the respective illuminant 16 to the periphery are present, such as in FIG Figures 2 and 10 to 12 shown. The holder 20 can also be arranged axially movable with the piston 5 or stationary in the casing sleeve 4 of the contact pin arrangement or the mounting sleeve 3.

In order for the light generated by the respective illuminant 16 to be easily recognizable to the operator, an advantageous beam guidance is integrated into the light source 15 or decoupled from the location of the light generation. Depending on the arrangement of the luminous means 16, a light guide, possibly through a plurality of components of the contact pin arrangement 1, must take place in a continuous light passage 19 from the luminous means to the light exit opening 18.

This can be achieved, for example, by a targeted influencing of the surface of the light passage 19 and / or the light exit opening 18, for example, a total reflection by means of a reflective surface, for example by the Reflektierungsring 25, defined scattering effects by roughness of the surface, or by an optical scattering (Streuring 26 ') or coloring of the surface can be achieved. Also, the geometric influence of the light beam in the light passage 19 and / or at the respective light exit opening 18 are possible, for example by non-axial arrangement or offset of holes, defined diameter changes in or over the length of the light passage 19, as well as by changes in direction by means of reflection. An optical influence of the light beam can also be achieved by certain material or structural properties and by additional optical components, such as a lens, laser, filters or the like.

FIG. 19 shows in a perspective sectional view of an advantageous embodiment of the light source 15 with the disk-shaped circuit board 23. In this case, the light source 15 differs from the embodiment Figure 18C in that the illuminating means 16 is followed by a converging lens or a collimator 33, which bundles the light emitted by the illuminating means 16 and converts it into a beam of mutually parallel light beams which are directed into the light passage 19 and / or to the particular light exit opening 18 be guided. The bundled beam guidance of the light prevents reflections and absorptions in the interior of the contact pin and ensures high light intensities at the respective light exit opening 18. In particular, the collimator 33 is also provided in the embodiments explained above, in particular when the light generated by the light source 15 is passed through a light channel 19 or through an axial light exit opening 18.

In principle, each light source 15 can be assigned to one or more light exit openings 18, which are arranged axially and / or radially to the light source. Also, the light exit openings 18 can be moved axially relative to the light source 15 when they are formed, for example, in the contact piston 5. In this case, the respective outlet opening centric (for example FIG. 3 ) or eccentric (for example FIG. 4 or 9 ) may be formed on the respective contact piston 5 or the jacket sleeve 4. Also, the respective light exit opening 18 on the circumference or mantle of the contact piston 5, in particular the contact tip 6, for a lateral outlet, optionally with axial beam deflection, may be provided. By at least one transverse bore or slot, which opens the light passageway 19 to the outside, such a beam deflection is possible. It can be moved along or firmly formed on the jacket sleeve 4. Also, a beam deflection by a separate component, such as the reflection ring 25 is possible, which is either moved with the contact piston 5 or fixed to the jacket sleeve 4.

If the contact pin is designed for contact-contacting the test object, a galvanic separation between the electrical line (light-current path) necessary for the light source 15 and the test current path is expediently present. In principle, the contact pin 2 can be designed as any type of contact pin, such as a rigid contact pin, as a switching contact pin, Verrastkontaktstift, Tellernadelstift, Kelvinstift or Hochschraubstift or the like. The contact tip 6 may also have different shapes.

When integrating the lighting in a switch pin 2, such as in FIG. 1 As shown, the current path of the illumination may be separate from an electrical test current path of the contact pin. Alternatively, however, the light-current path of the illumination can also be integrated into the switching current path so that an activation of the light-emitting means 16 which is dependent on the piston stroke takes place without a detour via a peripheral test technique. The switching state of the luminous means 16 can be coupled directly or inversely with the state of the (switching) contact pin. The color state of the light source may, for example, also be coupled to the state of the (switching) contact pin, so that, for example, the lighting changes from red to green in the case of a switching stroke. For electrical contacting of the lighting, in particular a two-pole interface provided by external wiring and running internally coaxial.

In order to realize a galvanic separation, in particular the jacket or the jacket 4 of the contact pin 2 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example plastic. This saves a necessary separate isolation levels. The test point circuit (test current path or current path) is conducted directly from the contact piston to the mounting sleeve 3. The coaxially adjacent metal tubes of the contact pin arrangement 1 are provided with a thin insulating coating, so that it is possible to dispense with customary insulating intermediate tubes or wide air gaps. The electrically insulating or high-resistance coating can be produced for example by a low-wear plastic coating, by applying a wear-resistant layer by means of physical or chemical deposition technology, or by producing a metal oxide, in particular Eloxar, but this requires the preparation of coaxial aluminum. In particular, the contact pin 2 thus has at least one mounting sleeve made of aluminum, which is provided with a metal oxide layer. Overall, it is fundamentally provided that the current paths or metallic conductors of current paths of the contact pin arrangement are provided with an insulating "skin" or layer which ensures the galvanic isolation to adjacent current paths or electrically conductive elements. At the same time, this layer is preferably designed as a mechanical interface of movable components, for example for sliding guide of contact piston 5 and jacket sleeve 4. As a result, conductors or current paths touch, space-saving, preferably coaxial, and are arranged longitudinally displaceable to each other. As electrical conductors can thereby rod-shaped components, but also tubular or sleeve-shaped components or spring elements, in particular helical springs of the contact pin arrangement 1 are used.

Furthermore, the electrical contacting of the lighting means 16 by means of the printed circuit board 23 is optionally realized by the spring element 7, which is then itself formed as an electrically conductive contact element and forms a portion of a current path through the contact pin. This results in a functional integration in the spring element 7, which then provides the one hand, the spring force and on the other hand, the electrical contact. In particular, it is provided that two springs, in particular coil springs, hire of a spring element 7 are coaxially arranged running into each other to provide different electrical potentials for the electrical contact, wherein the potential separation between the individual spring elements then by in particular an additional plastic tube or a particular thin insulating coating takes place on at least one of the spring elements.

While some of the illustrated embodiments work with an additional reflection surface to achieve an advantageous light emission, it is also possible according to a further embodiment, such as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 or 2 shown, without an additional reflection surface at the light exit, so to work without additional light guiding structures at the light exit. Rather, the test object or the test object itself can be used as a reflection surface / reflection object. This works, for example, when the contact piston protrudes with its light emission into a shiny metallic contact element of the connector (test object) and / or in the plastic cavity with a smooth surface or close to it. Incident light from below into the cavity is then visible to the operator / operator from above because the walls of the cavity are illuminated and appear to be bright. Of course, this can also be applied if the light source 15 is designed to emit light in the non-visible range. In addition, on the basis of the reflection on the test object, further information can be obtained, for example about the correct arrangement and / or seating of the contact piston or the contact tip within the cavity of the test object / test object, for example by checking and evaluating the reflection direction and / or intensity ,

As already mentioned, the light source 15 can be controlled by external technology, for example, depending on the contact surface of a test object, depending on the piston stroke of the contact piston 5 or independent of contact and / or piston stroke. Also, an internal control of the lighting is possible, as already mentioned, by touching the contact surface of the test object, the switching state of the switch pin or regardless of the switching state and not electrically via an optical influence of the beam guide and / or the light exit, by appropriate arrangement of one or more light exit openings , which are covered or released during the movement of Kontaktkolbcns example of the jacket sleeve 4.

In order to protect the light source 15 from contamination caused, for example, by the mechanical wear of the contact pin 2, the light source, light exit opening (s) 18 and / or light passage 19 are in particular encapsulated, for example by a transparent encapsulation or a transparent element, such as the transparent spreading ring 26 'off FIG. 5E , The light exit opening 18 is preferably spatially separated from the contact point, in particular behind the contact point set back axially, axially and offset laterally to the light source or by a lateral light emission at the contact piston on the contact tip 6 with or without beam deflection.

Intensity and contrast of the light source 15 are dependent in particular on the environmental conditions. An added value arises when these parameters are set by the operator or automated. For this purpose, the integrated electronics 30 can be used on the circuit board 23 or the external device.

Preferably, the respective lighting means 16 are activated / activated by color coding as a function of different states or for assembly instructions. Also, the color coding is specified either internally, by the electronics 30 itself, or by the external device.

In the present embodiments, the light source 15 is configured to generate light perceptible by the human eye. With the addition of an optical receiver, however, the detection of light signals can be automated, in which case it is also possible to use light sources 15 whose light sources generate light in the region no longer perceptible to the human eye, in particular in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrum. The optical feature detection then takes place in particular via the intensity reflected by the test object or specific wavelength shifts for color detection. The receiver is then preferably arranged in the same contact pin 2 as the light source 15. The then producible signaling allows, for example, the simple automated detection of the presence of the contact element in the correct cavity of a connector to be tested, the presence of the correct contact element or test object, the mechanically correct arrangement in the axial or lateral position of the test object or a contact element of the test object, a Deformation of the contact element and or the presence in the correct position of a plug housing in the tester.

Claims (15)

1. Contact pin arrangement (1) with a contact pin (2) and with a mounting sheath (3) at least partially accommodating the contact pin (2), wherein the contact pin (2) has a contact plunger (5) guided displaceably in a casing sheath (4), characterised by at least one light source (15) assigned to the mounting sheath (3) and having at least one electrically operable lamp (16), wherein the contact pin (2) has at least one light transmission channel (19) with at least one light entry opening and at least one light exit opening (18) for light emitted from the light source (15), said light source being arranged in or on the mounting sheath (3).
2. Contact pin arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the light source (15) is arranged replaceably in or on the mounting sheath (3).
3. Contact pin arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the light source (15) is arranged in a connecting piece (14) which is fastened to the mounting sheath (3) by means of a plug-in connection which effects in particular an interference fit between the connecting piece (14) and the mounting sheath (3), or by means of a bayonet catch connection.
4. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light exit opening (18) lies at or in the region of a contact surface (22) and/or of a surface or surfaces of the contact plunger (5) adjacent to the contact surface (22) and/or at or in the region of an end of the casing sheath (4) adjacent to the contact plunger (5).
5. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (15) is configured to emit light in the spectrum visible to the human eye or in the non-visible spectrum, particularly in the IR spectrum or UV spectrum.
6. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (15) is configured to emit light of different colours dependent on the operating state.
7. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (15) is arranged in the end region of the contact plunger (5) having the contact surface (22), adjacent to the light exit opening (18), or in that the light source (15) beams light into a light transmission channel (19) which has the light exit opening (18).
8. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (15) is assigned a collimator (33).
9. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light transmission channel (19) penetrates at least regionally the contact plunger (5), a spring element (7) assigned to the contact plunger, the casing sheath (4), an internal structure of the contact pin (2) residing in the casing sheath (4) and/or the entire contact pin (2).
10. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (15) is connected to an electric current path which leads to an externally accessible electric interface (12) of the contact pin (2) or of the mounting sheath (3) for the contact pin (2).
11. Contact pin arrangement according to claim 10, characterised in that the current path is provided at least in sections by a spring element (7) which is electrically conductive and applies a spring force to the contact plunger (5).
12. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light transmission channel (19) has at least one light influencing means, which in particular is provided as a light reflection means (23), a light diffusion means (26'), a light colouring means, at least one optical lens, in particular a collimator, at least one light filter and/or at least one light screen.
13. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (15), in particular a light current path, is electrically galvanically separated from at least one electric test current path of the contact pin (2) and/or mounting sheath (3).
14. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light transmission channel (19) extends at least in sections along, parallel to or at a skewed angle to a central longitudinal axis of the contact pin (2) or of the mounting sheath (3).
15. Contact pin arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (15) is triggered depending on the position of the longitudinally displaceably guided contact plunger (5).

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